Carbohydrate functionalized 2-oxacyclopentylidene complexes of chromiu
m and tungsten 5a/b 8c/d are synthesized by cycloisomerization of buty
nols 1a/b - 4a/b at a pentacarbonylmetal template. Their alpha-CH-acid
ity is exploited to generate compounds 9a and 10a bearing exo-alkylide
ne groups. Ring-opening aminolysis of 7a leads to aminocarbene complex
11a which - under Mitsunobu conditions - undergoes cyclization to giv
e chromium azacyclopentylidene 12a. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.